A Colorado Rancher’s Christmas Wish

There are a lot of different people who read BEEF Cow-Calf Weekly – in fact, there are about 40,000 of you on the weekly mailing list. But, overall, the readership tends to be a pretty homogeneous group in that we tend to share a love for agriculture, and cattle in particular.

I’ve always wanted to articulate that bond that ranchers share, but I’ve never really made an effort to do it, because I know I couldn’t do it justice. It’s the love of animals and the land, and the passion for a lifestyle that is somehow about living one’s life in accordance to a higher code. It’s also about God, family and freedom; and it’s all something I think you’re bestowed by choosing the profession.

I could write a bestselling book if I could put in words what I feel when I ride over the top of a hill on a good horse and view black cows grazing on green grass. It’s a feeling I’d love to be able to share. Every rancher might describe their perfect scenario a little differently, but they understand that feeling of being part of a higher calling.

That’s not to say that this life doesn’t have its difficulties. While Mother Nature can blanket and embrace you with beauty, peacefulness and fulfillment one good day, she can tie you into a Gordian Knot the next. This past summer’s extreme hea[3]t and drought are examples.

On Wednesday of this week, we had a good old-fashioned blizzard[4] on the plains of Eastern Colorado. The storm was widespread and was moving through the Central Plains on Thursday.

The moisture, of course, wasn’t enough to change anyone’s drought[5] status. Most of us also would have preferred that the snow was of the wet variety that falls straight down, rather than snow driven sideways by 50-mph winds. Still, everyone here was celebrating, if only because it proved that rain and snow are still possible in our locale.

Despite the long-term forecasts, which haven’t imparted a lot of hope for an improvement in our moisture situation going forward, the optimist in me hopes this storm is a harbinger of things to come. It’s widely accepted that this industry stands on the edge of an extended run of record cattle prices, but we need above-average moisture prior to grass turnout time to forestall more significant liquidation.

Unlike in the past, when the droughts were severe or regionalized, there is very little excess capacity or feed[6] today to move cows onto anymore. We’ve run out of options. If the cows are forced to town this spring[7], there won’t be very many heading back out into the country.

But, man, do I love having the opportunity to face such challenges. For most of us blessed with the privilege and responsibility of caring for God’s nature and creatures, all we seek is to be able to continue, and to build something sufficient to allow our children to follow in this wonderful life if they choose.

It’s easy to forget life’s problems and revel in the gifts I’ve been given when I’m atop a horse heading for work as the sun rises over the horizon on a cool summer morning. Even better is when my wife and children[8] are there to share the experience with me.

Christmas[9] is another of those occasions that transcends for me any care or tribulation – because of its powerful meaning[10] and because we share it as a family.

What a wonderful and glorious time of year – as we gather together to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. Best wishes from Colorado for peace, health, good will and prosperity.